A will is simply a piece of paper stating who we want to get what when we die. Wills are public documents.

After we die and our will have been probated (probate fees are based on the fair market value of the house at the time of our death — often in the tens of thousands), anyone can go down to the courthouse and look up all the assets we owned and what they’re worth.

Most health insurance companies pay up to $1 million for an illness. When health insurance runs out, there are three options:

Prolong our life as long as possible, regardless of cost or chance of recovery

Provide life-sustaining treatment unless we are in a vegetative state (determined by physicians in their best judgments)

Refuse our life to be unnaturally prolonged (pull the plug)

Be sure to specify an agent i.e., the person who will make the final decision to take you off life support — if the decision has to be made. Choose someone who loves you, yet who is strong enough to do what you would want him or her to do.